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October 30, 2011

REVIEW: Liese Bubble Hair Color - Chiffon Beige

Product: Liese - Bubble Hair Color for Evenly Colored Hair - Chiffon Beige

Made in Japan


Expires: 2013/09/16

side view - back view, brief instructions
looking in the box...
contents of the box
- Solution 1 - 40ml
- Solution 2 (developer) - 60ml
- Hair Lotion 4g
- Foamer Cap
- 1 Pair of Gloves
- Instruction Sheets, available in Japanese, Chinese and English


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Brand: Liese (trademark of Kao Corp. Japan, I just noticed that 90% of the japanese products I own/ use are under Kao)

Claims/ Descriptions: (back of box)
Massage foam into hair, and it transforms into thick, creamy foam! Even difficult to reach areas like the hair at the back of the head and the inner layers will be colored evenly and beautifully. Makes hair coloring fun!
  • hair feels smooth when fingers comb through
  • gives hair a shiny and moisturized finish
  • contains Amino Acid (moisturizer) 
  • contains royal jelly extract (moisturizer)


Packaging: Very cute and girly, unlike North American box dyes, where all the boxes are exactly the same color and the only difference is the girl and her hair color. Each box has it's unique color that represents the color, the only con to this is, you might mix up brands when they're all lined up.

Scent: Regular hair dye scent or Behr dry wall paint (i know this because i recently painted my room)

Price:  $69 HKD > $8.63 CND, purchased at Watsons HK

Easily Accessible: Yes, in Hong Kong and Asia. In Hong Kong, every convenience store, and grocery store that had a hair section carried this brand. Here in Toronto, I see Palty & Gatsby more, Liese is more rare.

Directions: (read Tips and Tricks below for more info)
1. Pour Solution 1 into Solution 2, turn it upside down a few times gently to mix.
2. Gently squeeze the center of the bottle to dispense foam.
3. Apply foam to dry hair. Cover hair completely with foam and massage it in. 
4. Massage foam into hair with finger tips softly and gently.
5. Once hair is covered with foam, leaver for 20-30 minutes.
6. Rinse thoroughly, shampoo and apply the Hair Lotion enclosed. 

MY REVIEW:
I really like this foam hair dye, especially for all over color. Like it claims, it does make hard to reach areas, like the back and inner layers of your hair slightly easier. As for even coloring, it's all about skill in my opinion. (read more under Tips & Tricks below) This is my second/ third Japanese brand hair dye, (first was Gatsby bleach 6 yrs ago and I can't remember if I've used Palty before) and I'm impressed. Not only with the results, but the extras they include in the box. The instruction sheet is available in three languages, Japanese, Chinese and English, it's also the prettiest instruction sheet I've come across yet because it's colored. Granted it loses it's appeal after the first time or those who've dyed their hair many times, but I did read it both front and back the first time because it was pretty. Okay back to the hair dye, this is my first foam dye and I feel like it's significantly less messy compared to NA dyes, and the only "problem" I had, was forgetting to squeeze the bottle upright, I'm always tilting. After dying my hair, I washed off the dye, did a quick in shower conditioner treatment and applied the enclosed hair lotion. It made my hair kind of greasy and textured until the wash next day, my hair didn't feel damaged but I followed up with a deep condition/ hair mask anyways. So yup!!! I like it and recommend it!!!

so colorful~ =] 

BEFORE    
it's so hard trying to capture my "before" hair color. The color is actually the shade behind my ear, but all over... with black roots. I dyed it a long time ago with Perfect10                                    
AFTER

As you can see, my roots were lighter then the rest of my hair, only because I applied the dye to my roots too soon. But in real life the difference wasn't THAT big lol. 

Repurchase? Yes, in fact... I already did, 3 more boxes of different colors, I "recently" dyed it Marshmallow Brown, so I only have Milk Tea Brown and Platinum Beige left.

Overall: 5/5

Tips && Tricks:
from box/ pamphlet
- This product should not be used to lighten hair that has been dyed black by hair color or hair manicure. *Using on hair that is strongly bleached or damaged may cause color results to vary or color to fade more quickly* Not for use on gray or white hair.
- One box is enough to color shoulder length hair.
- This product is for one-time use only. Do not store or reuse the remains.
- Do not use while taking a bath. This product is not a shampoo.

From Me
GENERAL
- Like the pamphlet mentions, do buy more then one box if your hair is longer then shoulder length or really thick. The color is more intense if your hair is more saturated. When I first dyed my hair with this dye, I just had a hair cut, so my hair was very thin so one box was enough.
- Don't dye your hair if it's just been washed, I try to have 36-48hr old hair
- Don't take the color "results" on the box seriously, it rarely turns out to be that color in one try.
- Once you've finished applying all the dye on your hair, use a plactic bag to cover it, then a shower cap to lock it and finally wrap it in a towel, this helps trap the heat to develop your hair faster.
- I usually add 15 - 30 minutes to the instruction time, rarely/ never go over 1 hour
- When washing out the dye don't shampoo,  just condition and wait at least 24hrs before shampooing.
DYING DETAILS
- For example your hair has been dyed and you just want to freshen up the color (meaning the colors are fairly close to each other), then apply the dye all over, starting with the bottom layers working towards the outer layers and you should end up with even hair color.
- But if you have virgin hair, and you do the same thing, then your roots will be lighter then the rest of your hair, because of the heat coming from your head.
- If you have virgin hair or my hair,(my hair has been dyed but it's not close to the color I want it to become), then I apply dye all over your hair except the roots. (1" on the inner layers, 1.5" around the back & 2" in the front) After 2/3 of the time has past, apply the remaining dye on your roots and the hair color should be even.




Random Fact/ Note:
I've been dying my hair myself since 7th grade, so it's been 9 years of trials and errors. The tips I've listed above are some of the tricks I use every time. Colors I've dyed my hair: black, gazillion shades of brown, red, blonde, white blonde, orange, green, blue, pink, and purple.
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Once again, I started this review months ago, but never finished it until now, so the bit about me "recently" dying my hair a different color was actually 2 months ago XD haha.



THE END!!!!

October 19, 2011

a LUSH week

A couple weeks ago, my friend Shannon and I RSVP'ed to the Lush Dream Cream party on Queen St. This is the goodie bag we received, minus the Aqua Marina and Ultra Bland cleansers, those were samples I asked for. This post is just going to be mini reviews of the products shown above except the Ultra Bland cleanser, that will be in my second LUSH review because I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I'd also like to point out, although I'm not a LUSH "noob" I've only tried a handful of their products before, mainly bath bombs and bubble bars. 

Anyways, this time around I have used all these products already, so they are going to be reviewed in this post, unlike my fail sample week a gazillion posts ago, it didn't go so well. Products are going to be mini reviewed in the order I used them in, and if I end up purchasing the full size of the product, chances are I'll do a full review!!! But I do have a long list of stuff I still have to write about... so we'll see where that goes.

You will notice some mustard colored words, and they're the opinions of my friend Shannon on these products =] She's also my personal LUSH consultant =D lol When she sent me her review, she also included a description of the product,which was a combination of her and the info on the site.



MINI REVIEWS   

Product: Aqua Marina Clay Cleanser

Results: AMAZING, despite the small amount in the pot, this cleanser actually lasted me 5 day and night washes. I'm actually blown away by the results of this cleanser, I want to say "best cleanser I've used to date" but I've only used it 5 days so I can't. It's kinda troublesome to use for lazy people like me, but the results were worth it! My skin was brighter, clearer, no clogged pores and smoother. It removed all my dead skin without any pain and got rid of the bumps on my forehead. So a little about the bumps, they're kinda like scars? but instead of marks they're bumps and they've been there for 8 freaking years, after my first major breakout in 6-7th grade. Basically I've had a textured forehead for 8 years and 5 days of this cleanser smoothed it right out!!! Insane.... Only con of this cleanser is sometimes it leaves white residue marks on parts of my face after patting it dry, but nothing a little wiping won't solve.

FULL SIZE??? YES... DUHHHHH lol my forehead is STILL pretty darn smooth after I ran out of this cleanser (2 weeks ago)!!! That point alone was a good enough reason to get the full size =D Unfortunately I will have to wait, because I have a bunch of cleansers to try, and if I get this now I know I'm gonna ignore all my other cleansers =p 

 Product: King of Skin Shower Body Butter Bar

King of Skin is an in-shower body butter that you would use as the final step in your shower/ bath routine. It's a solid bar full of natural ingredients like Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Oat Milk, and Bananas (YES BANANASSSS!!!! also helps soften the skin)

Results: FABULOUS, this quarter bar lasted me 5-7 showers? When I saw this bar in the goodie bag, I wasn't too sure what to do with it. But my friend Shannon explained that it was a shower body butter bar, that was used after washing and in the shower. You have to make sure you're clean before using this because after using the bar, the water just glides off you, and make sure to pat dry when you come out of the shower. In short, not crazy about the scent, it's very natural but it really softens my skin!!!

FULL SIZE??? Yes, but when it gets colder/ dryer because that's when my skin needs the most moisture. Also, because it's kind of expensive... $13-$14 CAD a bar and it's not that big. 

SHANNON: I LOVE!!! King of Skin, it's very moisturizing and actually does help to soften it as well. I am a lover of natural scents (unlike Stephanie lol!!!) and I also think it smells amazing. I would repurchase.  
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Product: Figs and Leaves Soap

Figs and Leaves is a bar soap made with well... figs and leaves!!! (seriously there's actual leaves that sit on top of the soap!!!) It's also made with Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang and Brown Seeds to help exfoliate. 

Results: The scent was no good, it's too natural for my tastes. Like what I said to the LUSH SA, I prefer "artifical natural scents" lol that earned me a 'wtf' look. Anyways this soap cleanses and moisturizes really well, the only problem is I squeak after washing the soap off. A friend joked that the soap make me 'squeaky clean' lol but yah, not a good feeling, even though it did go away after I dried off. Funny thing is, only I squeaked after washing but not my friend Shannon, it's actually one of her favorites from Lush. 

FULL SIZE??? Nope, I just find soap too bothersome, always slipping and Lush soap is not exactly cheap either. 

SHANNON: Figs and Leaves is one of my favorite soaps from Lush, it's probably the most moisturizing soap they have and the smell is amazing!! In the shower the soap doesn't lather too much due to it's moisturizing properties, but leaves the skin very smooth. I always purchase the Figs and Leaves soap when I'm purchasing soap to top up my stock. (Yes, I actually collect and keep soaps in stock, it looks pretty and makes my bathroom smell good!!!) 
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Product: UltraBalm

UltraBalm is an all purpose body balm and has the same consistency as Vaseline. It contains Jojoba Oil, Candelilla Wax, and Rose Wax. Use it on dry skin, cuts or scrapes, or like me as a lip balm.

Results: It's kind of a paste? and it melts into a liquidly oil form in your fingers, allowing it to be easily spread. It worked really well when the eczema patch on my leg flared up, it stopped the itching and kept it moisturized for a good 16hrs. Apparently this is an all purpose balm, meaning you can use it anywhere for anything... but the smell wasn't very inviting so I've only used it on my eczema patches. Random note, I've been battling with eczema on my legs all my life they come year round and drive me nuts!!! Sometimes, I can't resist the itch and it leaves scars, so I can never be those girls that stick their legs out from a curtain/ door/ wall to entice a man =[ LOL

FULL SIZE??? No, although this product worked really well, I don't really NEED it atm. 

SHANNON: I really like Ultra Balm as a lip balm, it instantly smoothes chapped lips and keeps them comfortable, and works great as a lipstick base. The smell might be off-putting to some but due to my love of natural scents and products, I don't mind the scent. As soon as my sample is done I will be purchasing the full size, even though the price is a bit scary. 
★ ★ ★ ★

Product: Dream Wash

Dream wash is like a shower-gel but in a whipped consistency and it is for people with more sensitive or irritated skin. It's made with Chamomile, Lavender, Calamine, and other essential oils.

Results: Like the Figs and Leaves soap, after washing off the body wash my skin was really squeaky. It smells just like the Dream Cream (which is also very natural smelling ><) , but I don't find it particularly moisturizing, but I did like it's very light texture/ weight. 

FULL SIZE??? Nope, pass... simple as that lol

SHANNON: I don't have sensitive skin, but I can see how someone with sensitive skin would benefit from using this. It did leave my skin soft, but it's not something I would purchase because my skin isn't intolerable to anything, and the price is kinda of off putting as well.
★ ★ ★


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The Lush located on Queen St. W has the BEST Lush service I've experienced to date, it's definitely worth the trip/ walk from Eaton Center. It's in an easy location to find and the store is very spacious,  so the smells are never over-powering. At this location the service is always friendly, approachable, and there's never any pressure to buy anything. The SAs are generally very helpful, especially one... but I can't remember her name >< Her service was fantastic, she listened to all my skin's problems, finding products that would work/ teaching me how to make certain products work for my skin, even though her shift was over =D The Lush at Eaton Center is always cramped and there's never someone to help you when needed. 




THE END!!!


p.s If you're wondering why I'm not commenting on your blogs please read my MIA post...

October 10, 2011

MIA

(this is for you Bessie =D lol) 

So HI everyone!!! *waves enthusiastically* did you miss me? =] 

So I have been MIA for a week ish now? (it could be more but my days and weeks are so jumbled) and I just want to say I'll continue to be MIA. lol Well kinda...  for those of you who have been following my blog, youtube or twitter for awhile probably know I study Fashion Arts. (fashion design) I'm currently in my last year, so there is a lot of prep work I need to do to prepare for my graduating collection as well as a couple competitions. I've been working nonstop and have recently gotten a job to help fund said collection. ( I've never had to juggle school and work together before, it's usually one or the other =p) Fortunately/ unfortunately, my collection has taken a turn and I more or less have to start from scratch. (5 months of work down the drain) Good thing is I'm loving how the pieces I'm designing are evolving, but the fabrics are killing me... either with minimums, selection, or price. I might post a color story/ palette  up for voting later... need help deciding.  

In short, I'm going to be focussing on school and work at the moment. I probably won't have time to read and comment on blogs/ videos anymore, but I'll try to read some whenever I can. As for my youtube/ twitter and blog, they'll be updated whenever I have something to post/ upload/ tweet. Chances are, my twitter is going to be most "active" because I have a half ass twitter app on my phone so I can tweet, but not really do much else 0.o lol. 

um... yah... I actually have some videos/ blog posts/ reviews lined up to be edited. So I guess I'm not really going MIA on the input end (I've never consistently posted videos/ posts) lol just not going to be as "responsive/ active"!!!


Teasers/ Things to Expect:

Youtube: 
- BEG Miryo Sixth Sense Inspired Tutorial
- Puccho Review

Blog: 
- Kate Eyeshadow Review



THE END!!!